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Matt Garza continues his recovery from a stress reaction in his elbow last July, which ultimately cost him the second half of the 2012 season (and cost the Cubs the ability to trade Garza, or seriously engage him in extension discussions). And that recovery has gone well at every turn.

The latest positive step saw Garza throw a pain-free 30-pitch bullpen session – off the mound – yesterday in Mesa. GM Jed Hoyer and pitching coach Chris Bosio were on hand to watch, according to ESPNChicago, and it sounds like Bosio, at least, was impressed.

“Matty looks like he is in great shape,” Bosio said, per ESPNChicago. “It looks like he worked hard in the offseason. His legs are in great shape and I believe he is ahead of where he was last year when he reported.”

Drink that quote in for a moment. Bosio isn’t merely saying Garza is on schedule in his recovery – he’s saying Garza looks better now than he did at this point last year, when he was completely healthy. That’s swell.

Bosio went on to drive the point home.

“[Garza] is on a program we put him on and at this point he is ahead of schedule,” Bosio said. “The communication I have had with our trainers indicate they are very happy where Matt is at in his program. As for me, I do not have any concerns at all for him. He has always been very honest about how he feels with us.”

The report really can’t get much better than that. Obviously things can always go wrong – they could go wrong for any player at any time – but, right now, it sounds like Garza feels completely healthy, and his pitching sessions reflect that.

Is this the place where someone should say, “It’s because it didn’t end up at first”? Not taking the bait though.

Marc N.

The man owes us prospects so he better be healthy.

Edwin

I don’t get it. Who owes us prospects?

blublud

I guess he thinks if Garza was healthy last year we have gotten Olt, so he feels Garza owes us prospects. I guess that’s what he means.

Rizzo 44

I have wanted to trade Garza since last summer, but now I feel the Cubs need to try and sign him this SPT for 5 years and 80M if possible. I think if we can find a way to get Price from the Rays next offseason or at the deadline we would be loaded with Pitching.
1)Price
2)Garza
3)Shark
4)Jackson
5) Vizcaino
This after the trade Deadline. I know it would take a ton to get Price but look what the startign 5 could look like. I’m just saying its not like it isn’t possible. I still think BJax will make it hard for the Cubs to not have him on the roster at the end of SPT. If he could win a job Brett what do you think about a trade of DeJesus to the M’s for Carter Capps?

blublud

Capps is a future closer in my opinion and it will probably cost the Cubs more then Dejesus to get him, and unless you heard something, i don’t think the Marinesrs would trade him. He’s young, cheap, pretty good and under control for a team that’s not competative.

Rizzo 44

I think its possible to get someone like Capps, because the M’s need Offense and DeJesus would play well at Safeco just saying.

blublud

I would do the trade in a minute. It keep Campana on the roster and get us a good young bullpen arm. We would have a ton of “closers” however, which I guess is a good thing. I wouldn’t be against it at all.

CubFan Paul

Anytthing for Campana.

blublud

Hey, Campana is in the same position as Barney was last year. Don’t be suprise if he forces himself into the lineup. Not like he has a lot of competition in front of him.

Cubbie Blues

Except for the fact that Campana hits even worse than Barney, can’t play defense and doesn’t make good decisions on the bases. Other than that he plays very well and if he could ever get on base can steal 2nd and sometimes 3rd.

DarthHater

“Campana is in the same position as Barney was last year.”

Congratulations on making the most completely non-factual statement of the morning.

TWC

The morning is still young.

DarthHater

West coast time doesn’t count.

Edwin

5/80 seems a bit much. Garza is 29 this year, so you’re paying for his age 30-34 seasons. I’d say closer to 5/60 at most.

Rizzo 44

He won’t sign 5 for 60 and hes worth 5 for 80 if healthy. Look at the numbers.

Cubbie Blues

His numbers say that he has only had 1 year where his FIP was under 4.00.

Rizzo 44

Look at what will be on the market in 2013 for starting pitching… Nothing so he will get a pay day if healthy of 5 for 75+ I will put money on it now. He may be the best pitcher this offseason. I love the 5-60 just isnt going to happen.

Edwin

Fine. I think you’re either over valuing Garza or over valuing the price/win. Possibly both.

For comparison’s sake, for the season 2012 CJ WIlson signed a 5 year deal for $77M with the Angels. Wilson is 2 years older than Garza, but he’s also left-handed, and was coming off of 4.8 and 6.1 WAR seasons. It’s hard for me to think that Garza would get more than what CJ Wilson got on the open market.

Rizzo 44

I’m not over valuing him at all the market will over value him if he becomes a FA. Just look what the Tigers gave Sanchez in his deal. is he better than Garza? I would say Garza has a much better track record.

Cubbie Blues

Sanchez career FIP = 3.79
Garza career FIP = 4.00
Yes, I would say Sanchez is a little bit better.

Rizzo 44

If healthy, Garza will get more money on the open market than CJ Wislon did by 5M to 10M. Just my opinion.

Edwin

I did. Even if he’s worth 3.5 WAR in 2014 (doubtful), if you decrease by .5 WAR each year of the deal to account for age decline, it brings his total WAR to 13.5 expected. 13.5*$5.5 = $74.25M. Since it’s a long term deal, the Cubs would get some kind of discount, at least 10%.

If you’re talking about starting the extenion this year, and forecast him for 4 WAR, the total expected WAR of the deal is 15, which is $82M. Again, the Cubs should get a discount for a long term contract, bringing the extenion under $80M.

Rizzo 44

Ill go as low as 5 years and 75M thats what it will take if he’s healthy. If they wait until after the season and he has a great year I say he will get 5 for 80M plus.

Deez

“Matty looks like he is in great shape,” Bosio said, per ESPNChicago. “It looks like he worked hard in the offseason. His legs are in great shape and I believe he is ahead of where he was last year when he reported.”

Selling up the product.
He’s gonna get traded.

Stinky Pete

I have pretty much been of the mind that they have a trade in place, on a “Gentleman’s Agreement” until he can make some starts in ST and prove he’s healthy. We’ll see..

Ashley

You think there is any chance the Cubs can re-sign Garza, get Shark a new deal and get Price?

Rizzo 44

Yes very possible.

Ashley

I would love this if it could happen.

bbmoney

Very possible……like 1 in a 100

Chris S

Matty?? Ugh..

Stinky Pete

At least it wasn’t “Garzy”.

MightyBear

Is there any news on Scott Baker? We get a Garza report every other day (which leads me to believe the Cubs are shopping him) but no word on Baker. Anybody got anything?

CubFan Paul

Theo (i think..) said that Baker would be up to 75 pitches by the end of Spring if all went well. Then they would go from there

LWeb23

Bosio emphasizing that he is on the program that WE put him on makes me think of the Hayden Simpson (I believe it was him..) situation, and how he didn’t follow what the Cubs told him to do and it backfired miserably on him. Hopefully the Cubs can use those counter examples with future younger players…

cubsin

I suspect the prospect you’re talking about is Dillon Maples, not Hayden Simpson. Maples admitted he tried some of the Cubs’ program and decided to do things his way last winter.

LWeb23

Yes, thank you. Normally I would dig deeper and make sure, but I was running late for class so I just went with it.

Rich H

It was Maples this last year.

Mirky Waters

What would you guys think about Garza for Anthony Rendon? Before you guys poo-poo it, consider Gio Gonzalez could face a 50 game suspension from the fallout of the south Florida PED (steroids smh) situation. And Rendon is clearly blocked by Zimmerman. I like Anthony Rendon even more then I like Olt. He’s an excellent fielder with a strong arm. He’s got a great hit tool with power potential. Rendon Has question marks also. He’s a below average runner . Plus, he seems to be Injury proned. I don’t know, what do you guys think?

Edwin

I think the Cubs would love it, but I’d think there was a slim to none chance this deal happens.

coalminerd

I don’t see this as news at all. What’s Bozio going to say? Especially if the Cubs’ plan is to shop him in ST or as soon as reasonably possible.

http://www.bleachernation.com Brett

He could be playing it up a bit, but the answer to your question is: he’d say nothing at all.

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